A young boy is being hailed a hero after he stopped a fire breaking out at his home.

Nine-year-old Kieran Penrose raised the alarm after the bedroom curtains caught light in his home in Stone Street, Cranbrook, on Sunday night.

Kent Fire and Rescue control room operators received a 999 call at 7.07pm and sent one pump from Cranbrook.

Watch Manager Colin Gambrell said: “When we got there we discovered that Kieran’s mum Amelie had put out the fire by throwing water over it but we think that if it hadn’t been for his quick-thinking response in raising the alarm that this could have been a lot more serious.”

Miss Penrose said: “Kieran was fantastic because he came downstairs and told me what was happening and while I went to the bedroom, he calmly rang the fire service and the next thing I know he had the dog on the lead and was ready to leave the house.

“We’re not sure what caused the fire. It may have been hair straighteners that I’d left on but we’re having the electrics checked out anyway. I’m really proud of how he acted.”

Mr Gambrell added: “Electricity is used throughout our homes but appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can be a real danger. Just because there is no flame, doesn’t mean there is no fire risk.

“Any electrical appliances that are not designed to be left on should be turned off and the plug removed from the socket after use.

“This home also had a working smoke alarm which sounded at the same time as Kieran spotted the fire and we would urge all residents to consider our home safety visit if they would like to benefit from potentially life-saving fire safety advice.”